1M'sia Email: Guan Eng warns of privacy issues....

The Malaysia Email initiative received a lot of flak in Penang today. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng questioned the rationale of the project when Internet users have a choice of free email services like Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail.

Lim, who is DAP national secretary-general, proposed that premier Najib Abdul Razak should provide free WiFi instead of free email accounts.
“That is more beneficial to the people, don't you agree?

“Instead of spending RM50 million on the emails which we can get free, why not spend this money on giving free WiFi hotspots.

“That would be more appreciated,” he quipped at a press conference after handing over RM1.7 million to 28 Tamil schools in Penang today.

Lim expressed concern over the email project and questioned whether user-accounts would be monitored. There are also issues of concern like privacy and security of users, added Lim.

“Information can be intercepted and an account can be shut down at any time if they don't like you,” he said.

“There are no guarantees and the worst thing is the monitoring."

Najib had announced the initiative as one of seven new projects, at the fifth progress update of the Economic Transformation Programme in Putrajaya yesterday.

Direct and secure communications

Under the scheme, Malaysians aged 18 and above will each be assigned a unique email account to receive statements, bills and notices. The prime minister said in Putrajaya that this would allow direct and secure communication between Malaysians and the government, and enhance the delivery of services to consumers and businesses alike.

Najib was quick to clarify that the 1Malaysia Email project is a voluntary private initiative and does not involve public money. Lim acknowledged this but asked why they could not provide free WiFi services, as Penang could offer.

“Perhaps, they have no licence to do so,” he said.

“I suggest that the government uses its influence to ask any company that wants to provide RM50 million for the project, to provide free WiFi instead,” he added.

“That was what the Sarawakians wanted. They do not have free WiFi, which is why we can win 12 seats there.”

source:malaysiakini

cheers.